[widetyres]

Hi,

Has anyone got experience of both AST 5100 and Bilstein PSS10? Be great to hear some thoughts on how they compare if you have.

The ride of the AST's is amazing for fast road, and they were good around Silverstone as well, but they will probably need a rebuild at some point over the next year or so - it really isn't much extra to swap to the Billy PSS10's (considering the resale value if the AST's).

Cheers.

[M Fifty]

Well, the following doesn't have AST, but it does have Billies (and others):

https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...highlight=dyno

HTH

[Yadadameans]

The AST is way better overall than PSS10 especially if you're planning on tracking them.

[widetyres]

Originally Posted by Yadadameans

The AST is way better overall than PSS10 especially if you're planning on tracking them.

Thanks. Yeah, I've run them on track once and they were great all day,which is pretty good as they are definitely more road focused than some kits.

OK, pss10 not the route to go down.

Coincidentally I have just been offered a set of lightly used ohlins r&t. In standard form, I know they'd not be as good on the road as AST, but revalved with a slightly softer front spring (like 3dm offer with their roadsport kit), they might be a good alternative. Hmmmm..... any thoughts on that?

Thanks.

[Yadadameans]

Originally Posted by widetyres

Thanks. Yeah, I've run them on track once and they were great all day,which is pretty good as they are definitely more road focused than some kits.

OK, pss10 not the route to go down.

Coincidentally I have just been offered a set of lightly used ohlins r&t. In standard form, I know they'd not be as good on the road as AST, but revalved with a slightly softer front spring (like 3dm offer with their roadsport kit), they might be a good alternative. Hmmmm..... any thoughts on that?

Thanks.

I havent experienced the Ohlins R/T yet, but from what I hear they will do fine on track. Wont be as good as the AST for sure. I know the Ohlins TTX are like top tier though

[CoffeeLife]

widetyres Ran Ohlins R/T on my 18' M2. Cannot recommend for both track and road compared to the AST 5100s.

The AST 5100s feel more stable on the track in my opinion and also smoother on the road. Also my Ohlins R/T had to be wiped down and lubed every oil change to stop it from creaking / clicking at low speeds and turns.

Im sitting at 6 tracks days so far this year and 27,000 Km on my AST 5100s. Will see how long they can go before a rebuild! Aiming for 50,000km and maybe 35 more track days! ;D

[widetyres]

Originally Posted by CoffeeLife

widetyres Ran Ohlins R/T on my 18' M2. Cannot recommend for both track and road compared to the AST 5100s.

The AST 5100s feel more stable on the track in my opinion and also smoother on the road. Also my Ohlins R/T had to be wiped down and lubed every oil change to stop it from creaking / clicking at low speeds and turns.

Im sitting at 6 tracks days so far this year and 27,000 Km on my AST 5100s. Will see how long they can go before a rebuild! Aiming for 50,000km and maybe 35 more track days! ;D

Thanks very much for this - great feedback on your experience.

The AST kit is very good - just the other day I gave a friend a lift and he was blown away by how composed the suspension was, given how taut the car is.

Surprised that the AST is better than Ohlins on track, but as I mentioned, on my track day I certainly didn't leave feeling that the AST suspension could of been better - it was really good.

i will stick with what I have then!

[calvin07]

Anyone been running ASTs in colder climates? How are they holding up?

[Carrera2RS]

I have used the Litchfield AST kit for 2 years and it's great so far. It has a great combination of compliance with excellent body control. I of run my damping rates higher than most and they have worked perfectly so far.

Ive always been a Bilstein fan and although never compared. I bet Litchfield could comment on the two. I was there recently having the ride heights adjusted and they moved form AST to Bilstein I think due to supply as a lot of stock is kept in Denmark

[x233]

Originally Posted by calvin07

Anyone been running ASTs in colder climates? How are they holding up?

I had AST5100 on a different car. Was my daily at the time. Was stupid enough to run it in winter sub-zero temperatures. It leaked mid-winter.

[Carrera2RS]

No problem with cold using my AST suspension, not sure why it might be more susceptible to the cold than anything else ?

[widetyres]

Originally Posted by x233

I had AST5100 on a different car. Was my daily at the time. Was stupid enough to run it in winter sub-zero temperatures. It leaked mid-winter.

Originally Posted by Carrera2RS

No problem with cold using my AST suspension, not sure why it might be more susceptible to the cold than anything else ?

Mine also didn't leak and they were driven through two UK winters.

One of my fronts did need a bushing replaced though after approx 12-15k miles. Ast rebuilds are half the price of ohlins though,so only cost me £130.

[x233]

Not sure exactly what the problem might be. My winters are below freezing for about 4 months, lots of moisture, some dirt and sand on the roads during the cold season. I had a theory that monotube coilover kits might be more susceptible to really cold weather. Could be the oil changing viscosity too much with really cold temperatures. Just a theory. Over 10 years or so, I had 1 AST5100 kit, 2 Bilstein P16 kits, and 2 Bilstein B8 shock absorbers leaking within 10k range and all in winter. Although in case of AST5100 it was a rear, all the others were fronts. Never had the same issue with twin-tube kits (like KW2, KW3, M Perforamance, H&R). That seemed a bit strange to me.

[Carrera2RS]

Originally Posted by x233

Not sure exactly what the problem might be. My winters are below freezing for about 4 months, lots of moisture, some dirt and sand on the roads during the cold season. I had a theory that monotube coilover kits might be more susceptible to really cold weather. Could be the oil changing viscosity too much with really cold temperatures. Just a theory. Over 10 years or so, I had 1 AST5100 kit, 2 Bilstein P16 kits, and 2 Bilstein B8 shock absorbers leaking within 10k range and all in winter. Although in case of AST5100 it was a rear, all the others were fronts. Never had the same issue with twin-tube kits (like KW2, KW3, M Perforamance, H&R). That seemed a bit strange to me.

Interesting, you might be right. Over the years I have had 3 Bilstein, 1 Koni, 2 KW, 1 Dinan, and one AST kit. Most did around 30-40k miles and no major problems with any TBH. I think I prefer the feel of mono tube, but thats just a preference for Bilstein and AST feel I think. Dinan was way too soft for me. But winters in the UK only have a few weeks below zero at most

[calvin07]

Guys, I pulled the trigger an a new AST 5100 kit. Plan on putting it on in the spring. Any recommendations for maintenance would be appreciated. I also don't plan on driving the car below 40F so hopefully cold won't be an issue. But is sitting in the garage on ASTs during winter is ok I assume?

[CoffeeLife]

Originally Posted by calvin07

Guys, I pulled the trigger an a new AST 5100 kit. Plan on putting it on in the spring. Any recommendations for maintenance would be appreciated. I also don't plan on driving the car below 40F so hopefully cold won't be an issue. But is sitting in the garage on ASTs during winter is ok I assume?

From my last post im around 50 track days + races. No issues or rebuilds needed yet. Ran all winter sessions no issue.

[calvin07]

Originally Posted by CoffeeLife

From my last post im around 50 track days + races. No issues or rebuilds needed yet. Ran all winter sessions no issue.

That’s great to hear! Did you do anything specific to maintain them? For example, cleaning, coating with waterproof spray, etc?

[CoffeeLife]

Originally Posted by calvin07

That’s great to hear! Did you do anything specific to maintain them? For example, cleaning, coating with waterproof spray, etc?

Yea every few months ill clean off the suspension with air. Get all the dust and small rocks off the exposed shock. Clean it with parts cleaner and then spray it with Super Lube multi purpose sythentic lubricant.

[calvin07]

Originally Posted by CoffeeLife

Yea every few months ill clean off the suspension with air. Get all the dust and small rocks off the exposed shock. Clean it with parts cleaner and then spray it with Super Lube multi purpose sythentic lubricant.

Ok that’s great thanks! Do you know how to get in touch with AST? I sent them an email to two different email addresses and haven’t heard back. I just had some questions regarding the installation. If you know where to find this information that would be very helpful, or who to contact.

This is the email I sent them:

“I recently purchased AST 5100 coilovers for my 2017 BMW M2. I need an installation manual, can you please send me one?

Also, I would like to know the ideal rebound settings for street driving. I live in the USA, in case you need to know. And, if you could could tell me ideal settings for track driving as well, I would appreciate it. I know this can change based on track and personal preferences but I want a setting to use as a baseline.

Also, are you able to provide the ideal ride height and where the spring perch needs to be set as an initial starting point during installation?

How do I set the preload? Is this explained in the instructions?

Also, are the torque specs included in the instructions as well?”

Thanks

[CoffeeLife]

Originally Posted by calvin07

Ok that’s great thanks! Do you know how to get in touch with AST? I sent them an email to two different email addresses and haven’t heard back. I just had some questions regarding the installation. If you know where to find this information that would be very helpful, or who to contact.

This is the email I sent them:

“I recently purchased AST 5100 coilovers for my 2017 BMW M2. I need an installation manual, can you please send me one?

Also, I would like to know the ideal rebound settings for street driving. I live in the USA, in case you need to know. And, if you could could tell me ideal settings for track driving as well, I would appreciate it. I know this can change based on track and personal preferences but I want a setting to use as a baseline.

Also, are you able to provide the ideal ride height and where the spring perch needs to be set as an initial starting point during installation?

How do I set the preload? Is this explained in the instructions?

Also, are the torque specs included in the instructions as well?”

Thanks

I’ll ask the Korea AST rep . Im sure AST HQ will respond but ill get you an answer tomorrow.

Did a install guide etc not come in the box?

[calvin07]

Originally Posted by CoffeeLife

I’ll ask the Korea AST rep . Im sure AST HQ will respond but ill get you an answer tomorrow.

Did a install guide etc not come in the box?

That would be great. Thanks so much.

I sent an email to:
support@motonsuspensionusa.com
info@ast-suspension.com

But haven’t heard back still.

Installation guide was not included in the box. There was a paper that said to contact support@motonsuspensionusa.com about any questions regarding installation.

Thanks.

[CoffeeLife]

Originally Posted by calvin07

That would be great. Thanks so much.

I sent an email to:
support@motonsuspensionusa.com
info@ast-suspension.com

But haven’t heard back still.

Installation guide was not included in the box. There was a paper that said to contact support@motonsuspensionusa.com about any questions regarding installation.

Thanks.

I just realized i never asked. Sorry man. Ill reaxh out this afternoon